Anyone else wake up with bad anxiety every day and what do you do for it?

[Dananxiety]

Every day I wake up I have horrible anxiety. It's like when I transition from restful sleeping state to awaking to reality. It comes over me in a wave. My mind just goes to whatever I have to deal with today, whatever went bad yesterday, and impending doom. The anxiety grabs ahold of me and won't let go even if I try to change my thoughts. Does anyone else get this and what do you do to cope?

[Mary-intussuception]

Could you try planning ahead ?

You know this will happen, so get some positive thinking and a plan in place.

As you go to bed think thankful positive thoughts. Say thank you for 10 good things in your life.

I know of a woman who used to say " thank you God for waking me" every morning. So I tried that - but keep forgetting!

Plan something you need to get up for, if possible arrange to meet someone early to go for a walk in the park or to the pool for a swim.

When anxious thoughts creep in tell them to go. Dismiss them and think positive thoughts, look forward to your happy plans for the day.

[Dananxiety in reply to Mary-intussuception]

Thanks. I will try the planning method. I do need more structure

[mvillarreal]

This doesn't happen to me as often as it used to, but I know exactly what you're talking about. Do you have emergency medications to stop a panic attack in its tracks? I've found that helpful (even though it can cause some lethargy). Also, do you feel nauseous when this happens? As weird as it sounds, I've found it helpful, when it gets overwhelming, to just go to the bathroom and dry-heave it out, but this might not be your experience.

[Dananxiety in reply to mvillarreal]

I have xanax that I save for major anxiety attacks. My Dr won't prescribe it any more because she says it is habit forming. I still have some left over though.

My stomach does get twisted up. I will try the dry heaving. I usually just pace the yard. Thanks

[Lulububs in reply to Dananxiety]

I used to feel like this every morning to point i wished i never woke up i just stayed in a sleep induced state all time and started self medicating.

Then my friend suggested when get up put ur clothes ( gym clothes) straight on and go for a run( now im no runner) so i tried this and it really worked, u run of the anxiety and pent up tension and u also release endorphins to make u happy.

It my morning ritual now , i get up and run, not even for long coz i work and also have a bad back but it not really about the length of running it just about getting ur anxiety out and endorphins.

I then got a dog who now come with me so i have a running buddy.

Also have u got a pet? A cat, dog even a rabbit? Something u have to look after that relaxing and fun, that means u get up for someone and to do something ie feed them.

It given me a new lease of life having animals , they say people with animals are the happiest and i truely believe this to b true

[Dananxiety in reply to Lulububs]

I have 4 cats, Lulu. My ex and I got into rescuing and getting fixed strays. We were up to ten cats and a guinea pig at one time lol. They do keep me busy with feeding, clean litter, and brushing.

I will try the activity thing first in the morning, i.e. walking. Thanks for the suggestion and for listening

[Lulububs in reply to Dananxiety]

As a anxiety sufferer for many years i have found the more i keep my mind and body active it stops me thinking about myself and my anxiety.. i find immersing urself in ur anxiety kind of feeds it.

I know this as my mother is a sufferer to and when i was having a bad bout of it she gave me these painting by numbers art and i would get lost in doing them and one day she said to me are u anxious now ! Right in this moment without thinking about answer and i was like “ no” and she said there ur answer... because she always painted or done crosswords or ran or walked and she was tryin to teach me that u have to keep it all active or ur minds feeds it.

So now i just keep so busy and have a schedule and routine that i dont have that time to become anxious.. and if i do , still social events send me into fit of panic i will lay on bed and just deep breath and take myself away from the situation for 10 mins then say “ what the worse that can happen “! And there really isnt anything...

It really hard ive just found coping mechanism over the years.

Even screaming! Sometime i go take dogs for walk and i will go into a field and scream really loud for about 2 mins and it just releases all that stress and anxiety.

Animals i love them, i had three rescue dogs unfortunately one passed a couple months ago but i still have two they keep me busy

[jackiesj in reply to Lulububs]

We see we are not alone...

[mvillarreal in reply to Dananxiety]

That's actually very true. Emergency meds can be very habit-forming, and I do know firsthand. Be careful with dry-heaving though. Only do it when you absolutely have to because it makes me very tired afterwards, and I often catch colds if I do it too habitually. I try to save it for when I feel extremely sick. If I feel like I can get myself to relax, or if the anxiety is bearable, I just let my stomach settle itself.

[Hollick]

Yes, I'm stuck in the same dreadful place with morning anxiety..gets better through the day, but its back again every morning...started a new antidepressant over 2 months, doesn't seem to be working..tired..

[UFC80]

Yes. I wake anxious and have a sick feeling that ends within a few minutes. I've had this for many years. Doctor says it's Anxiety. The hormone Cortisol is at it's peak in the morning hours and for anxiety sufferers, this creates terrible anxiety with odd physical and mental symptoms!

[Dananxiety in reply to UFC80]

UFC, glad to know I am not alone. I was not aware cortisol peaked in the morning. Dr has me on a low dose of Zoloft, I'll see if it helps.

[Hidden]

Yes I get this too.

I do my best to carry on, sometimes it is truly so difficult.

I reassure myself that it will pass as it always does and that helps a little too...

You are not alone xx

[Dreamie]

Yes I experience this nearly every morning. For me I get up quickly because laying in bed doesn’t help and I am unable to go back to sleep. I get my coffee and start doing my word puzzles. Usually the word puzzles distract me enough to make it manageable to get dressed and go to work. Work is what helps the most. But I’m with the person who suggested exercising. I know that would be extremely helpful and healthy. I need to do it myself.

I’m sorry you deal with (morning) anxiety. I know what it’s like. Hugs to you! 🥰

[HealthAnxietyGuy]

Yes, I've been going through exactly this for the past month. It's terrifying! What seems to help me is eating a little, like a granola bar or a peanut butter toast or crackers with peanut butter, or even gatorade. I've been tested multiple times for Diabetes but don't have it. It seems to only happen when my anxiety is really bad and get panicky. It's like my body is over-reacting to a little low blood sugar which causes a panic attack which can wake me up from it.

[jackiesj in reply to HealthAnxietyGuy]

TY! remebering in the beginning to keep munchies on hand when panic happens....yip so true, panick eats up energy, sugar goes up and down...almonds for me! and realizing i hold my breath....